Pilgrims from the Archeparchy of Philadelphia participated in the meeting with Pope Leo XIV During UGCC Jubilee in Rome

During the audience, Pope Leo greeted the pilgrims with heartfelt words of solidarity: “Sisters and brothers, in welcoming you here, I wish to express my closeness to the suffering Ukraine — to the children, the young people, the elderly, and especially to the families who mourn their loved ones. I share in your sorrow for the prisoners and the victims of this senseless war. I entrust to the Lord your intentions, your struggles and daily tragedies, and above all, your hopes for peace and serenity.” 

In a powerful moment of unity, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, led the pilgrims in singing the Lord’s Prayer. Pope Leo personally greeted each of the bishops and spent time speaking with mothers of fallen Ukrainian defenders.

Later that morning, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated at St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by His Beatitude Sviatoslav and concelebrated by all the bishops of the Synod of the UGCC. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, speaking on behalf of the assembled bishops, expressed deep gratitude to His Beatitude for his leadership, presence, and unwavering commitment to accompanying the people of Ukraine in their suffering.

Representing the Archeparchy of Philadelphia were Metropolitan Borys Gudziak; Fathers Ivan Demkiv, Ivan Turyk, Andriy Dudkevych, and Volodymyr Radko; along with chancery staff members Oleh Kovalskyi and Halyna Malynovych.